To launch the “Blog” section of my website, I’d naturally like to take a closer look at what coaching is. And by extension, what coaching isn’t.
I was trained in coaching by an American but international school, IPEC, which is recognized by the ICF – International Coaching Federation, the organization that “regulates” coaching worldwide and ensures a professional, ethical and quality practice, in the absence of official market regulation at present. I obtained my Professional Coach certification in 2020.
In 2021 I became a member of the ICF, and am committed to their code of ethics. In January 2022, I also received the ACC accreditation (Associate Certified Coach), which guarantees a certain level of theoretical knowledge as well as over 100 hours of coaching practice. A new step in my development as a coach.
So now that this foundation has been laid…
What is Professional Coaching?
This is a question I like to ask my (future) clients during our free, no-obligation introductory meeting, my famous “Discovery Call” (you can book yours here).
I think it’s important to make sure we’re on the same wavelength before starting a new coach-to-coachee relationship.
There are many interpretations of what Coaching is. One reason has to do with the origin of Coaching, which is often credited to Sports Coaching. Whether you’re a competitive athlete preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, or a Sunday sportswoman, a sports coach gives you a series of exercises to perform. He gives you instructions. And he corrects you. On the assumption that he/she knows what to do, and that you pay him/her for this expertise. What I’d call “mentoring” or “mentoring”, or “consulting”.
The Professional Coach is not supposed to tell you what to do, how to do it, or when to do it. A Professional Coach can help you in any field.
The official definition of coaching, as defined by the International Coaching Federation :
“ICF defines coaching as an alliance between the coach and his or her clients in a process that inspires them to reflect and be creative in order to maximize their personal and professional potential.
To accompany the evolution of a person, a team or an organization, the coach relies on the art of the relationship, which enables him/her to interact with someone in such a way that he/she realizes the projects he/she chooses to implement by transforming, if relevant, his/her attitudes and skills.”
EmpowerMov's definition of Professional Coaching:
The definition of coaching that I propose to my clients, the MarinaCoachMe definition defines Coaching as
a partnership between the client and the coach, whose agenda is driven by the client, using the coach’s specialized skills and tools to achieve the client’s goals.
The idea is that you, the customer, have the answers, the resources, inside you, while I have the right questions, the right skills and the relevant tools to maximize or compliment my customer’s (yours) expertise on his or her subjects and objectives. And of course, I set the framework for the relationship and the session, but it’s then a matter of co-constructing with my client and going out to find or create within her what she may be “missing”.
Can you see the difference with sports coaching? Or the “I’m going to coach you to be a better Salesman / Sportsman / Employee, etc.” type of coaching? Here there’s a notion of expertise in the field of the person being “coached”. Whereas a Professional Coach can theoretically coach you on any subject, starting from you, starting from the person being coached, and not from a precise expertise, without needing to know your precise field.
Coaching is not mentoring, consulting or therapy.
So, depending on your objective, it may sometimes be more appropriate to find a Mentor, a Consultant, another type of therapist, or even someone close to you.
Would you like seasoned advice from someone who has been through a similar experience and can share it with you? Finding a mentor might be a good idea. Before I became a Coach, I was a Mentor many times; for example, for colleagues at Google who were more junior in their roles, or externally with young women who were looking for their way. It’s fascinating, but different from what I’m doing now as a Coach.
Do you want a professional point of view and someone who can tell you what to do? For example, would you like support in setting up sales processes in your company? Then it might be worth working with a Consultant. Or a trainer. Coaches often have dual competencies with Training or Consulting. Personally, I also offer training courses, but I’m more interested in my role as a trainer.
Would you like to explore your past, to work on a perhaps more painful episode? I advise you to consult a psychologist, who will be trained and equipped to help you “heal”. Personally, I think it’s always worthwhile working with a therapist. And that we should all have a Coach ;). Even coaches have coaches. Why shouldn’t you?
In some cases, it can be interesting to consult one of these specialists alongside the work you’re doing in Coaching. During my discovery call with a future client, it’s also my role to redirect you if I’m not qualified to help you.
What is Coaching for and who is it for?
Coaching can address many situations and objectives! Keep in mind that coaching helps you move forward, capitalizing on your resources (even those you don’t know you have inside you). Anyone can decide to work with a coach – whether as an individual for yourself, or in a corporate setting to accompany some of your employees or even several at the same time in a group format, or to offer coaching to each of your employees and ourselves as managers!
Are you looking for support to help you gain self-confidence, develop your leadership skills, improve your life balance, change jobs or position yourself for promotion, or during a transition phase (e.g. you’re changing jobs, looking to retrain, have just become a mother, are moving house or expatriating)? You want to achieve a goal or make a change, but you’re not sure you’ve got the energy, courage or simply don’t know how?
Then you’ve come to the right place.
Book your free 30-minute appointment here to talk with me and see if my Coaching can suit you and accompany you on your next step!